Oluwa Of Kuta Honoured with TOFAC Oduduwa Award, Calls for Cultural Reawakening

His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr. Hammed Adekunle Oyelude, CON, the Olowu of Kuta Kingdom, has been honoured with the prestigious TOFAC Oduduwa Award for Cultural Excellence, in recognition of his towering contributions to Nigeria’s educational advancement and the revival of Yoruba cultural heritage.

The award presentation took place at the 14th edition of the Toyin Falola International Conference on Africa and the African Diaspora (TOFAC), held on Tuesday, July 1, at the Olagunsoye Oyinlola Auditorium, Osogbo Main Campus, Osun State.

While receiving the award, Oba Oyelude reaffirmed the spiritual and historical importance of Yoruba traditions. “Yoruba cultures are not demonic, so we must do everything possible to promote our cultures,” he stated passionately, urging all stakeholders to champion cultural pride and renaissance.

He called on the Nigerian government to prioritise culture as a strategic instrument of national identity, diplomacy, and economic growth. “Nigerian government should take our culture to the world as part of nation-building,” he said. “Culture can be used to redeem the image of Nigeria abroad and generate revenue for the growth of our economy.”

Highlighting the custodial role of monarchs in heritage preservation, Oba Oyelude added, “We are installed culturally—we are traditional rulers for the maintenance of traditions and culture for posterity.”

This year’s conference, themed "African Cultural Creativity and Innovations," brought together a vibrant mix of scholars, creatives, policymakers, and cultural enthusiasts from around the world. The platform was designed to explore the dynamic intersections of tradition and innovation in African cultural production.

The keynote address was delivered by Professor Nemeta Blyden of the University of Virginia, Charlottesville. Other notable speakers included Dr. Wale Okediran, Secretary General of the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA), based in Accra, Ghana, and Dr. Lasisi Olagunju, an award-winning columnist and Editor at the Nigerian Tribune.

Hon. Hannatu Musa Musawa, the Honourable Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, was represented as the distinguished Guest of Honour. Osun State’s Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Abiodun Bankole Ojo, also graced the event as Special Guest of Honour.

The TOFAC conference is held annually in honour of the renowned scholar and historian, Professor Toyin Falola of the University of Texas at Austin, in celebration of his extensive global contributions to African and African Diaspora studies.

Following the ceremony, Oba Oyelude, along with fellow traditional rulers and his entourage, paid a courtesy visit to the OSBC Library Complex to inspect the ongoing library development project, a gesture reflecting his commitment to educational infrastructure and cultural preservation.